anyone know why my brake light won't turn off?

My brake light used to work until i cut the wires to pull off and clean my master cylinder and now it's on all the time.

The 2 wires going to the switch at the front brake lever are for sure insulated so there shouldn't be any shorting no shorting. I've followed both wires from the switch to the headlight assembly and didn't see anything fishy. I've tried shorting them, and nothing ever happens. the button on the lever of the handlebars MIGHT be depressed internally, but on the outside it's good. i even sprayed some WD-40 in it to make sure.

I've just disconnected the rear brake light completely for now to eliminate variables.

I think it's something inside the headlight assembly, but I'm just wondering if someone more experienced with the electrical on these bikes has a better idea of what might be going wrong.

thanks in advance guys!

 

jdogg, when you reinstalled your mc, did you readjust the screw that actuates the plunger for the front brake light switch? The plunger may be slightly depressed & activating the switch to keep brake light on. Only thing I can think of if the wiring you cut is okay. Just another thought & not sure it makes any difference, did you possibly reverse the wires when you reconnected them? Hang in there on this, some of the electrical wizards on here will have the answer/help for you.
Gregg

 

i don't think i readjusted any screws--just the screws that clamp the MC to the bars. I'll try to check it tonight, though. I'm pretty sure i didn't switch the wires either, but shouldn't matter--it's a simple switch to close the circuit.

 

I didn't think switching the wires would matter but electrics is not my strong suit anyway. Just a thought.

 

Are you sure it is the front brake that is causing it to stay on all the time? Did you mess with the rear brakes at all? Perhaps that is the switch that is stuck.

And are you sure the brake light is always on? Maybe it is always off, and since it isn't coming on when you expect to, it appears to be always on. Do you understand what I am saying? Are you seeing the running light(which is always supposed to be on with the key on), or the actual brake light?

 

I'm also wondering why you didn't just pull the connector instead of cutting the wires?

 

it's not the rear brake. The guy i bought it from in March had it disconnected because you'd have to hold your foot at an uncomfortable position to keep it from going off. It's completely disconnected.

I guess i just didn't know how to get the connector off. I tugged, pinched, pried, and nothing. Couldn't figure out how to get it off so i just snipped it.

 

If you tugged hard enough, you may have broke the little levery thingy underneath that keeps it snug against the end of the handle. This would then allow enough play to make it stay on. Try pushing the switch into the handle and see if it goes out.

P.S. switching the wires to the switch wouldn't matter.